DUBAI, March 19. /TASS/. Senior Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh has congratulated Vladimir Putin on winning the presidential election in Russia.

"The movement’s leader lauded Russia’s position in support of [a fair solution to] the Palestinian problem in light of defending our people from Israel’s occupation, the largest advocate of American hegemony in the Middle East," he said in a post on Hamas’ Telegram channel.

According to Haniyeh, Hamas "counts on strengthening the ties of friendship and developing cooperation with Russia." He wished the Russian leader "success, including in the interest of the Russian people and the world, as well as on the path of building a multipolar world order where oppressed peoples are treated fairly."

Russia held its first three-day presidential election from March 15-17. According to the Central Election Commission, after 100% of the vote was tallied by local election commissions, incumbent head of state Vladimir Putin won in a landslide victory over his three rivals with 87.28% of the vote. Voter turnout was 77.44%.